Manatee sits atop all teams

By ALAN DELL

Friday

Aug 29, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Staff writers Steve Gibson, Dennis Maffezzoli and Perry Pentz and correspondents Alan Dell and Chris Dell vote on this year’s H-T Top 15. Total points based on 15 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 15th-place vote.

1 MANATEE (74 points) — Ben Axon is rated among the top 30 running backs in the country, but will be operating behind an entire new offensive line. It doesn’t appear to be a big concern since the Hurricanes have a wealth of talent at the skill positions with four I-A prospects. They were just one vote shy of being a unanimous preseason No. 1 and coach Joe Kinnan has to be more worried about his team looking ahead to Venice, its only district loss in three years.

2 BOOKER (70) — Arthur Jeffrey heads a defense that led the area in least points allowed per game (11.2 avg). With six starters back on that side of the ball, scoring points against the Tornadoes will still be difficult. Booker will likely run the ball by committee this year, but expects the same production.

3 VENICE (66) — QB Trey Burton has already been anointed the next Tim Tebow by the national media. The youngest QB ever to verbally commit to Florida, he threw and ran for a combined 2,026 yards with 13 passing TDs last year. The 5A-11 district title should be decided on Halloween night when Manatee visits the Indians.

4 PALMETTO (55) — The Tigers were one of the area’s surprise teams last year. They won’t sneak up on anybody again and if new QB Ethan Gilbert can master the position, the Tigers could find success. DE Kedric Johnson, a sack machine, is being sought by nearly every major college in the country.

5 SOUTHEAST (51) — Head coach Paul Maechtle has a nice problem trying to figure out how to get enough carries for sophomore Desmond Blue and junior transfer Waymon Bowden, who averaged 7.1 yards per carry last year at ODA. The veteran coach gambled with a lot of young players in ’07, and they should pay dividends now.

6 DESOTO (49) — The Bulldogs lost their mammoth tackles on the defensive line and can’t be expected to allow only 188 total yards per game as they did a year ago. But there is still speed to burn all over the roster and Jerrell Thomas could make fans forget about QB Shay Shine. Get your playoff tickets now.

7 RIVERVIEW (47) — The return of RB Andre Booker and emergence of speed merchant Ronnie Hardison at quarterback should put the program back on the winning track. But first, the Rams need to improve their defense, which allowed 333 total yards per game. Durant looks like the favorite in the district.

8 CHARLOTTE (45) — After 11 straight years in the playoffs, the Tarpons are on a three-year drought. With seven home games and only two district road games, there is optimism. This team refuses to concede that the two district playoff spots belong to Manatee and Venice, especially if it stays healthy and RB Mike Bellamy and QB Kyle Midgett mature as expected.

9 SARASOTA (31) — Sailors head coach Bob Perkins says this is his youngest team in nine years. QB Kyle Gibbs got to start four games last year because of the injury to Casey Kelly, which might help a little. It took only two victories to qualify for the postseason last year, which gives the Sailors hope.

10 CARDINAL MOONEY (27) — If the Cougars can get their passing game to complement the running of Steve Ierulli, they could have one of the more potent offenses in the area. QB Robby Lyons has recovered from his broken hand, but head coach Josh Smithers says his receivers need to improve their hands and cut down on their drops.

11 BRADEN RIVER (23) — The Pirates don’t play like a program entering only its second year of varsity competition. The key is to improve a run defense that ranked next-to-last in the area. QB Willie McNeal threw four INTs without a TD pass, but can run and is the catalyst.

12 PORT CHARLOTTE (21) — If the Pirates hope to improve on their 3-win season of last year, things have to change on defense. They allowed an area-high 341 yards per game, including 245 on the ground and gave up an average of 30 points per game.

13 LAKEWOOD RANCH (18) — The Mustangs need more players like safety Danny Zarrella, the team’s best tackler. He had 11 tackles in the spring game against DeSoto despite playing only about half the game. Loss of RB Bryce Johnston to North Port puts additional burden on offense that is searching for a quarterback.

14 BAYSHORE (12) — This could be a long season for Bayshore as it enters its third straight rebuilding year. The Bruins allowed 200 yards per game rushing last year. Injuries and key losses due to transfers have made things more difficult.

15 NORTH PORT (9) — If RBs Alex Portee and transfer Bryce Johnston can give the Bobcats’ offense a chance to stay on the field, it will help take the load off a defense that was the team’s Achilles’ heel last year. They were last in the area among public schools with only 8 forced turnovers and allowed 27 points per game.

Also receiving votes:

LEMON BAY — Last year, the Mantas lost eight games by an average of 36.5 points and suffered five losses of 30 or more points. Two of the defeats were overturned by forfeit, but in the last two years the program has won only three games on the field. Players from a 6-1 JV team and a good number of returnees have boosted hopes.

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